I almost went for the Cooper for this race as I have a very stable and relatively quick setup for Monaco, but I had expected there to be the usual Cooperfest in operation so I thought I would set myself the challenge of getting a Honda to the end of the race intact.
Given the list of talent that turned up in BRM's and Iestyn's flying Fez I was not expecting anything other than a lower grid slot. Will's Fez seemed to be the one to target during Qually and I we swapped grid position a few times until I got a clear lap and got a low 1:28 which momentarily put me in 2nd spot behind Hristo.
I did not expect it to last, and it didn't! Iestyn pushed his Fez up to pole and JB and Lorenzo were only tenths away from my time so I expected to be demoted any second.
But, I held onto 3rd spot and now had a problem.
I knew that the Honda was really slow on cold tyres for the first 3 laps and after that they would burst into flames if pushed but there were two aliens right behind me. John was very considerate and jumped me at the start removing 50% of my worries. I manged to drive a defensive line for the first two laps and hold Lorenzo at bay and just about keep Hristo in sight.
Lap 3 I upped the pace and gained a breathing space from Lorenzo's BRM, which promptly vanished!! Not sure what happened but that could have been a close battle.
Iestyn was pulling away with John and Hristo in pursuit, I quickly figured that I might just catch Iestyn at the pitstops and maybe just maybe, the chase would prove too much for the BRM engines....but I doubted that!!! more likely that the Honda would give up first!!
Then John vanished from the Prib display, I caught the occasional glimpse of Hristo for a few laps then he pulled out of site.
I did my SnG when I was in clear air and managed to pull out of the pits without losing a place or blowing the engine...a feat in itself!!
A few laps later Iestyn was sat having afternoon tea in the pits, as I swept majestically past into 2nd place... now if only Hristo had a pit stop this could get interesting.
Iestyn seemed to be anchored in the pits for a long time and I was safely in front but still with half the race to go, so there was time for Iestyn to catch me in his Fez. But, it seems that he had problems and first dropped further behind and then left the listing.
I was now in a very comfortable 2nd spot....but it was still a Honda!!! I could see Hristo ( another name check) was now over half a lap ahead and as I thought, he would want to lap me just as much as I did not wish to be lapped.
Will appeared to be doing a sterling job in my defence and Hristo was behind him for a few laps but eventually Hristo got free and I had to up my pace. Big mistake !! as a couple of half spins and clips on the barriers more than halved the gap to Hristo. Once he had me in view it was all a bit one sided and I bowed to the inevitable exiting Tabac to allow him his moment of glory.
2nd big mistake was trying to follow Hristo!! .... clipped the wall again and managed to re-arrange the steering geometry with about 3 laps to go. The car developed a strong liking for the left hand side of the road and I had to limp around the last few laps, which at least preserved the engine and there was a big enough margin back to Phil ( well done Phil!) to keep my second spot on the podium.
A much better finish than I had expected given the challenge I had set myself. Glad I did not play safe and take the Cooper.
Grats to all the finishers, to Hristo ( another name check) for his usual blistering pace and to Phil for his Div 1 podium.
Dont forget to submit any reports..I don't think I upset anyone ...must be losing my evil touch!!!
